Zhi Li

Stanford University School of Sustainability

Bio: 

Zhi Li is a Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellow at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, specializing in flood modeling and assessing the socioeconomic impacts of extreme weather events in a changing climate. He received his Ph.D. in 2022 from the University of Oklahoma, where he developed expertise in remote sensing and hydrology. Li advocates for an interdisciplinary approach to tackling complex sustainability challenges related to flood mitigation and adaptation. His research has resulted in over 30 peer-reviewed publications and has been featured in major news outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, The Washington Post, and AccuWeather.

Abstract:

Floods pose escalating risks to society, yet conventional mitigation strategies remain predominantly engineering-focused and siloed. A review of recent literature reveals a concerning decline in flood-related studies after 2021, despite the increasing severity and frequency of flood impacts—an inflection point that underscores the urgent need to reimagine the future of flood research. In this talk, Li will present his interdisciplinary work on flood modeling and impact assessment, highlighting the novel predictive model he developed to enhance flood forecasting. Building on this foundation, he will demonstrate how flood hazards intersect with atmospheric science, agriculture, human health, and social systems. Finally, Li will outline his vision for the next generation of flood studies, advocating for a new wave of innovation to address sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. 

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INSTAAR Seminar Series

All seminars are hybrid events, in person in SEEC S228 and via Zoom at 12:00-1:00 pm

Audience: All are welcome

Location: Online and in SEEC S228. 4001 Discovery Drive, Boulder, CO.